_Festive food watch-outs for
your dog The
festive season brings with it an abundance of indulgent foods like chocolate,
coffee, dairy products and spices. While these foods are relatively harmless
for humans, they can be extremely dangerous for dogs. As human
digestive systems work differently to those of the canine family, foods that
are considered healthy for your own consumption could actually be deadly for
your dog. As you may have already discovered, dogs will try to devour virtually
anything put in front of them. Unfortunately, this includes foods that can be
both dangerous and deadly. For example, those table scraps or that chocolate
biscuit may seem harmless, but they could actually poison your dog.Explore
the most toxic food groups for your dog: Alcohol All
alcohol contains ethanol which can be lethal for dogs. Just a small amount can
result in a change in behaviour, breathing problems, cardiac arrest, induced
coma and even death. While you’re probably not intentionally feeding your dog
alcohol, unattended drinks and minor spills can be common in the household.
Alcoholic drinks with a high sugar content (e.g. mixer drinks) are particularly
inviting to dogs, so keep all drinks out of paws-reach and clean up any little
spillages immediately.Chocolate and caffeineChocolate
contains caffeine and theobromine which are both poisonous for dogs. The
chemicals are diuretics and can cause dramatic fluid loss (through vomiting,
diarrhoea and excessive urination). Other symptoms include panting,
restlessness, increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid feeding your
dog any foods that contain cocoa or caffeine and ensure all crumbs and scraps
are cleaned up immediately. Remember, the darker the chocolate, the higher the
cocoa content.Animal bonesWhile bones are not toxic, their
ability to splinter is extremely dangerous for your dog. They can cause cuts
and lacerations inside your dog’s mouth as well as their stomach and digestive
system. Bones can also cause obstruction in the throat and digestive system which
can result in choking or suffocation. Just remember, bones are not a treat,
they’re a potential threat to your dog’s health. Avocados Dogs are naturally attracted to
the alluring smell of a ripe avocado. However, avocados contain persin which is
a fatty acid that is hazardous for dogs. Symptoms of avocado poisoning include
vomiting, diarrhoea, respiratory distress, congestion, fluid build up around
the heart and in severe cases, death. If you’re an avocado lover, just ensure
you keep them out of temptations way for your dog. Onions and leeksEven the smallest amounts of
these substances can be toxic to your dog, regardless if they’re cooked or raw.
They can cause anaemia, which results in the destruction of red blood cells.
Symptoms to look out for include blood in the urine, a rapid heart rate,
abdomen enlargement, breathing difficulties and a pale mucous membrane. Nutmeg Nutmeg is
one of the lesser known poisonous foods. By eating this substance your dog can
suffer from tremors, seizures, issues with the nervous system and even death.
As nutmeg powder can be inadvertently inhaled, it’s wise to keep your dog away
from the kitchen during food preparation. This is also a good habit to get into
for the preparation of any food that is not exclusively designed for dogs.Other harmful substances There are
also a host of other foods which can be harmful to your dog. These include grapes, raisins, currants, macadamia nuts,
dairy products, raw eggs, mushrooms, raw fish, citrus fruit, green potatoes and
tomatoes, as well as salt when
eaten in large quantities.